Interactions Between Earth Spheres

EQ: How do Earth's Spheres influence each other?

The Earth System is all matter, energy, and processes in and on Earth. It can be divided into five main parts:

1. Geosphere

2. Hydrosphere

3. Cryosphere

4. Biosphere ​

5. Atmosphere

Notes: What is the Earth System?

Multiple Select

Which spheres contain all of the H2O in the Earth System?

• Hydrosphere

• Geosphere

• Cryosphere

• Atmosphere

• Biosphere

Multiple Select

Which spheres do NOT contain the LIQUID H2O in the Earth System?

• Biosphere

• Hydrosphere

• Cryosphere

• Atmosphere

• Geosphere

The Geosphere is the solid non-living matter on Earth, from the core to the mountains. It is divided into 3 layers:

1. the crust

2. the mantle

3. the core

Notes: What is the Geosphere?

The Hydrosphere contains all of the liquid water in the Earth System, from the deepest reservoirs underground to the ocean to the clouds of condensation in the sky.

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The Hydrosphere connects all of the Earth's Spheres through the Water Cycle.

The Water Cycle is the continuous movement of water through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff.

Notes: What is the Hydrosphere?

Multiple Choice

What is the main driving source of energy for the water cycle?

• The Wind

• The Sun

• The conductive heat from the ground

• None of the above

Multiple Choice

The process when plants release water vapor from their leaves is called _____________.

• precipitation

• evaporation

• transpiration

• condensation

Multiple Choice

When water vapor is cooled and forms droplets of liquid water

• Condensation

• Evaporation

• Transpiration

• Runoff

Multiple Choice

Precipitation occurs because 

• the droplets evaporate in the air

• the droplets are too light for the air to hold

• the droplets are too heavy for the air to hold

The homogenous mixture of gases that we commonly refer to as air is the atmosphere. It consists of 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen, and 1% of other gases.

It shields the Earth from radiation and insulates the Earth to regulate our temperature.

It is made up of four layers: The Troposphere (where we live and exist), the Stratosphere (where the Ozone layer is), the Mesosphere (where meteors burn up), and the Thermosphere (where the temperature increases because of the amount of solar radiation that it absorbs).

Notes: What is the Atmosphere?

Weather is the atmospheric conditions in a specific area at a specific time (AKA SHORT TERM)
Climate refers to the AVERAGE atmospheric conditions in a specific area OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

These conditions can vary based on the interactions between the atmosphere and hydrosphere, and over time these can drive the biosphere in different directions

Notes: How do Earth's Spheres Interact?

Summary: Give an example of how the Hydrosphere affects each of the other spheres in the Earth System.